With the news that Mulan will be available to rent on Disney Plus in September, UK theaters are upset over the decision.
Fans across the world were shocked when Disney announced that Mulan will be available to rent on Disney Plus from September 4 next month, with the premium rental costing $29.99. But in a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, it seems UK theaters aren’t pleased with the surprising decision, even in the current circumstances. UK Cinema Association’s chief executive Phil Clapp explained in a statement that it’s “hugely disappointing” to see a brand new family film arrive on the streaming service instead of on the big screen where it belongs.
“With cinemas across the UK now continuing to reopen and welcome back their customers, the decision by Walt Disney Studios yesterday to put Mulan on their Disney+ service and not into cinemas will be seen by many as hugely disappointing and mistimed. Rather than playing a great new family film in the best place possible to see it, the cinema theatre, audiences are instead being encouraged to stay home and pay a premium price to watch it.”
Many have wondered whether Disney’s Mulan decision will be the first domino for many upcoming releases like Black Widow to also be made available on Disney Plus as a premium rental. However Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently explained Mulan is a “one-off” rather than the base for a release plan. But as Phil Clapp continued in his statement, it seems the UK Cinema Association feels Disney’s recent decision is a bad move, as audiences and cinemas will need new films even after Tenet arrives in the country later this month.
“For many this will seem a step backwards rather than forward. A trip to the cinema to see one of the event family films of the year would have been hugely popular, successful and a welcome escape for many after months of restrictions on out of home entertainment. It would also have provided a much needed boost for both audiences and cinemas who need a supply of new films after Christopher Nolan’s Tenet hits cinemas at the end of August.”
The Hollywood Reporter pointed out Disney had sent an apology to British theaters, explaining that the global pandemic has caused mass upheaval in their upcoming line of content and the company has decided to take a brand new strategy using Disney Plus as a platform for Mulan.
“Given that COVID-19 has disrupted large parts of the content pipeline and markets are in vastly different situations right now, and after delaying the global theatrical debut multiple times, we are subsequently taking a tailored approach to this release.”
Do you think Disney’s Mulan going to the streaming service is a good idea? What are your thoughts on Phil Clapp’s statement? Do you think Disney’s response is understandable? Sound-off in the comments below!
Disney’s live-action Mulan stars Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Yoson An, Gong Li, Jimmy Wong, Tzi Ma, and Jet Lee. Here’s the official synopsis:
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.
Mulan is expected to arrive in theaters on August 21st, 2020. Stay tuned for all the latest news on Mulan and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more cool video content.
S0urce: The Hollywood Reporter
